[Comparative study of a vagolytic and a beta 2 sympathomimetic drug on the respiratory function of the asthmatic...

The authors compared the effects of a synthetic vagolytic drug, the SCH 1000, and a beta2 sympathicomimetic one (Fenoterol) in two groups of control children (n = 11) and two groups of asthmatic children (n = 23). They studied the following parameters, flow volumes curves, steady state lung diffusing capacity and the blood gases. No difference of efficiency was found between the two types of bronchodilators although the graphic modification of flow volumes curves was different after Fenoterol and after SCH 1000. The modifications consisted in a great improvement in instantaneous flow, a decrease in diffusion capacity and an increase of the Pa O2 significant in the group of asthmatic children after Fenoterol.